Getting outdoors is a gift that gives back all year long

Nine gift ideas for the outdoor adventurers in your life

Jessica Horton
Social Media Coordinator
DWR Conservation Outreach Section

It's that time of year again — when we all scramble to find the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones during the holidays. What do you get for the person who has everything, and also loves a little outdoor adventure? We may be able to help.

In no specific order, here are some easy-to-source gift ideas for the outdoorsy people in your life:

1. Utah State Parks annual pass

   Utah's state parks are perfect places to embark on fishing, wildlife-watching, camping, biking, hiking and boating adventures. To make access even easier, here's a holiday gift you can't (ahem) pass up. A Utah State Parks annual pass allows day-use access to all of Utah's 44 state parks! When you purchase a pass as a gift, you're giving the recipient access to some of the most magical places in the state — from the glittering blue waters of Bear Lake to the stunning red rock of Snow Canyon, and everything in between.

2. Fishing license

   

   Utah is home to world-class fishing, so why not purchase a fishing license for those on your nice list? Fishing is fun and easy to learn, and there's no shortage of places where you can land a lunker any time of year.

   If your adventurer already has a Utah fishing license, good news: You can purchase them an extension so they won't have to hassle with it when it expires. Learn more about buying licenses as gifts. And see a list of angler-specific gifts that might help you supplement the goodies in the stockings you're trying to stuff.

3. Utah Cutthroat Slam registration

   Purchasing a Utah Cutthroat Slam registration as a gift gives the anglers in your life the chance at an exciting new challenge. Catch each of Utah's four native trout in their historic ranges and earn a fancy medallion and certificate. The funds raised are used to help with native cutthroat trout conservation in Utah. After you've purchased the registration for your loved one, sign up for it yourself — the Slam is an ideal multi-person escapade. Register and learn more about it.

4. Shooting range punch pass

   The Division's shooting centers — Lee Kay Public Shooting Range and Cache Valley Public Shooting Range — offer punch passes! Whether the outdoor lover on your list likes to shoot archery or hit targets with their rifle, a pass to one of our shooting centers will hit the mark in providing hours of fun. Just keep in mind that we do not offer punch passes for shotgun shooting. Learn more about the shooting centers, what they offer and how to get in touch with the staff.

5. Hunting license

   A hunting license is affordable and easy to buy, and it'll provide your outdoorsy friends with all kinds of chances to connect with nature. From ducks in the marshes to grouse in the high country — not to mention chukars and rabbits in the wintertime — there's abundant wildlife and exciting hunting opportunities all over the state. Combination licenses — which allow the license holder to fish and hunt small game — are also available. Learn more about purchasing licenses as gifts.

6. 

   Waterfowl or Upland Game Slam registration

   Along with the Utah Cutthroat Slam, we also host a waterfowl and upland game slam! Hunters can join in the fun of adding a challenge to their hunts by trying a variety of fun, unique challenges and earning collectable leg bands. Utah's waterfowl and upland game slam entry vouchers are a unique gift for your favorite bird hunter.

7. A trip to a wildlife viewing event

   Pack sack lunches, wear layers, bring binoculars and prepare for any one of our free wildlife viewing events. They happen often, you just have to keep an eye on our social media or sign up for email updates. These events are fun opportunities to get a front-row seat to Utah's stunning wildlife, and you can always make it a gift by bringing along a friend or loved one! Give someone a memorable day catching a glimpse of bald eagles or bighorn sheep, just to name a few.



8. A day at one of our wildlife education centers

   We have two wildlife education centers, one located on our Hardware Wildlife Management Area and the other — called the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Wildlife Education Center — located at the DWR's Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. Spend the day spotting elk, waterfowl or other wildlife, and learning more about Utah's wild animals from exhibits and our helpful staff at each of the education centers.

9. Wildlife license plate

   Okay, so this gift idea is an actual item rather than an experience, but I mention it because I'm sure any outdoors enthusiast would love to sport one of the five featured wildlife license plates on their vehicle. Revenue generated from license plates supports fish and wildlife conservation work in Utah. Learn more about how to get one.

I hope this roundup gives some of you gift givers the ideas you've been looking for. It's already helped me wrap up my list!

Jessica Horton

Jessica Horton began working for the DWR in 2021 and has enjoyed it ever since. She has a lot of love for Utah's wildlife and outdoors, so getting to learn about and participate in outreach for both of those things has been a blast. When she's not working, she enjoys eating pizza, watching reality TV and parenting her two cats.